I just finished reading Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, the insightful, notably controversial book about Christian Spirituality. Let me first say I don’t see any reason for believers to disgregard this work. I heard tons of bad things around the conservative/fundamentalist circles about this book that I was near telling people not to read it without even looking at the book myself. I had a false (completely) misconception that this book was written by a faithless rebel who wanted to justify sin and a disobedient life and still sound smart. This book in no way reflects any of those preconceptions and I’m ashamed to have had them in the first place.

I don’t consider myself anywhere within the “postmodern” or “emergent” movement, but I am one who believes there are some strong benefits coming out of it. There are dangers as well, but I think provoking thought, growth, and discussion as many of the works of postmodern writers do, is a plus. With that said, here are my thoughts on the book as well as some of the quotes I found profound.

My first striking impression was that Donald Miller is a blatent and passionate follower of Christ. There’s no towing the line or controversial theological content to suggest otherwise. I had heard terms like “flaky” etc when this book was talked about, but I saw none of that. I saw honesty. The book is not much more than his honest and open thoughts on Christian Spirituality outside the realm of mainstream Christian religion. At times he sounds as much a visionary as the great CS Lewis in his writing, and other times amateurishly ranting on about topic after topic. This didn’t bother me during the read however because I didn’t feel like this book was writing to attempt to further some cause or crusade or agenda. It was simply some honest thoughts that I found reflected back inside of myself.

I highly recommend this book because it provokes some honest thoughts on why we do what we do. Those coming from conservative fundamental backgrounds can become caught in cliche and religion, and abandon the scriptural realities Miller reminds us of, primarily Love. Not conditional love, but the unbelievable unconditional love set forth by Jesus.

I would say the only danger in this work is somehow romanticizing some of flaws found within Miller or the many influences and people mentioned in the book. Many of his friends, who help Miller along his path of understanding God, curse, drink, some are even hippies, and all are greatly faulted like the rest of us. I’d hate to have the glaring benefits of this work overshadowed by these completely honest portrayals, but at the same time I know I don’t need to curse or read poetry or drink to be introspective and ponder the deep things of God. I don’t need be labeled or fit within a movement to love like Jesus and to love not just my brothers and sisters in Christ but everyone, impartially.

The overarching quality in this book is it’s honesty and it has the power to make you look at your own life, relationships, and religious routines and look a little deeper at life. I think Blue Like Jazz is a great work and look forward to reading some of Miller’s other works. It’s a great book for an open and honest discussion group.

I will emphasize this book is not a work of Theology, nor do I think everything he says is amazing or great, but just that I think we struggle so much with honesty that it’s a refreshing dive inside it.

Some quotes from Blue Like Jazz:

For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained. Christianity, unlike Christian spirituality, was not a term that excited me. I couldn’t share something I wasn’t experiencing. And I wasn’t experiencing Christianity. - Blue Like Jazz, 115

My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect. I don’t really do that anymore. Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don’t believe in God and they can prove He doesn’t exist, and there are some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it’s about who is smarter, and honestly I don’t care. - Blue Like Jazz, 103

I was a fundamental Christian once. It lasted a summer. I was in that same phase of trying to discipline myself to “behave” as if I loved light and not “behave” as if I loved darkness. I used to get really ticked about preachers who talked too much about grace, because they tempted me to not be disciplined. I figured what people needed was a kick in the butt, and if I failed at godliness it was because those around me weren’t trying hard enough. - Blue Like Jazz, 79